Underwaist.



E. W. STILES.

UNDEBWAIST. APPLIOATION FILED SBPT.9,1907.

' Patented Oct. 13,1908.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0., WASHINGION, n c.

wi mmo 4 ELLEN W. STILES, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

UN DERWAIST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

Application filed September}, 1907. Serial No. 391,945.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLEN W. STILns, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Underwaists; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in underwaists, and its object is to provide the same with detachable elastic portions, whereby the said portions may be removed and the remainder of the waist subjected to washing and boiling, which operation would materially injure the elastic portions if they were not removed; to provide means whereby the elastic portions of the waist may be removed and like new-portions substituted as occasion requires; and to provide the device with various new and useful features, hereinafter. more fully described and particularly pointed out in theclaim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Figure 1. is a side elevation of a waist embodying my invention; Fig. 2. a detail of one of the shoulder straps of the same, shown in plan View; and, Fig. 3. an edge view of the same.

Like numbers refer to like of the figures.

1 represents the front portion of the waist and 2 the back part of the same. Between these portions and below the arm hole, at each side, is inserted a detachable elastic portion comprising eyelet strips .6 having eyelets 7 arranged opposite a corresponding row of eyelets 5 in the respective front and rear portions, these strips being attached to said portions by means of lacing 8. Said strips are also connected by a series of'elastic tapes 11 whereby the garment is made yieldable at the sidesand more comfortable for the wearer. Above the arm holes are shoulder straps 9 also of elastic material p arts in all and detachably connected at the front and rear portions by any suitable fastenings, preferably by ball and socket fastenings 10. These shoulder straps are preferably covered' by some pliable material 3, which is shirred or gathered as indicated, to permit of elastic tapes which depend for their elasticity upon inserted strips of rubber, which rubber would be injured by the boiling or other washing process necessary to wash the front and rear portions of the garments. These tapes also by use become stretched and the rubber ultimately fails to contract, and needs to be replaced. This can be quickly done by removing these detachable portions and substituting new ones therefor. I am thus able to readily wash or repair the garment and at the same time provide elastic portions therein, which renders the same much more comfortable for the wearer, and yieldable to the various movements of the body as occasion requires.

What I claim is:

In a garment, front and rear portions spaced apart at and beneath the arm-holes, each portion having a series of eyelets in each adj aoent edge, lacing strips having corresponding lacing eyelets, lacings for the eyelets to secure the respective strips to the respective edges, the front and rear portions each carrying a socket, a shoulder strap having aprojection at each end for engagement in the sockets of the front and rear portions, a covering for said strap, and flexible con- .nections between said lacing strips.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

v ELLEN W. STILES. Witnesses:

GEORGIANA CHAoE, LUTHER V. MOULTON. 

